The sights and sounds of the 2025 holiday season came alive in downtown Sistersville on Friday, December 5, as the Christmas Parade made its festive debut. Despite a recent cold snap that brought temperatures into the 30s and the first snowfall accumulation, the event drew locals of all ages eager to kick off their holiday season. Led by the color guard and the Tyler County Silver Knights Marching Band, the parade marked a beloved community tradition, with families spanning generations lining the sidewalks, braving the chill for the best views.

The parade featured area churches with their youth riding on colorful floats adorned with seasonal décor along with a nice assortment of area royalty bundled up trying to stay warm. Also participating was the Middlebourne Scout Troop 175.

The folks lining the streets, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Claus, didn’t have long to wait. Both kids and adults were filled with excitement as Sistersville has long been one of Santa’s first stops during his busy holiday season. As tradition holds, the city’s fire trucks brought up the rear of the parade, ensuring the couples safe passage through town. The festive cheer wasn’t dampened even by the unexpected appearance of the Grinch who had ideas of stealing the holiday spirit from the little community of Sistersville but as always was unsuccessful.

Following the parade Santa and Mrs. Claus met children at the former site of Phillips Pharmacy (now home to the Tyler County Family Support Center ), for story time and treats. Luckily Santa was able to stay long enough to hear requests from those kids wanting to tell him their wishes for Christmas day before heading back to the North Pole.

Connie Boyd, Karen Keher Lallathin and other members of the Sistersville Planning Commission would like to thank everyone for their help especially Chief Haught, Mayor Rice , the Sistersville Fire Dept, Santa and Mrs. Clause, Matt Jennings and the Silver Knight TCHS Marching Band and all the participants, all who came out in the cold. Special thanks is extended to the Tyler County Family Support Center for their hospitality, gifts, hot chocolate and cookies.

Look for more pictures of Santa and Mrs Claus with the kids in next week’s Tyler Star News.